Substrate for semiconductor package and semiconductor package having the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor package includes a substrate including a substrate body having a first face and a second face opposing the first face. A first through electrode passes through the substrate body between the first face and the second face. An insulation member is disposed over the first face; and a connection member having a first conductive unit disposed inside of the insulation member is electrically connected to the first through electrode, and a second conductive unit electrically connected to the first conductive unit is exposed at side faces of the insulation member. A semiconductor chip having third and fourth faces is disposed over the first face of the substrate body in a vertical direction. A second through electrode passes through the substrate body between the third and fourth faces and is electrically connected to the second conductive unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Korean patent applicationnumber 10-2008-0085389 filed on Aug. 29, 2008, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor packages, andmore particularly to a substrate for a semiconductor package and asemiconductor package having the same.

Nowadays, semiconductor chips capable of storing massive data in a shortprocessing time and semiconductor packages having such semiconductorchips packaged therein are being developed.

To enhance the data storing capacity and/or the data processing speed ofa semiconductor package, a semiconductor package having a plurality ofelectrically interconnected semiconductor packages stacked on asubstrate is also being developed.

When semiconductor packages are stacked into a single semiconductorpackage unit, problems hindering high-speed operations could arise inthe single semiconductor package unit due to the different signal pathlengths between any respective combination of the stacked semiconductorpackages in the single semiconductor package unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a substrate for asemiconductor package which reduces the difference in the path lengthsof signals applied to a plurality of semiconductor chips therebyenhancing operation properties.

Also, embodiments of the present invention are directed to asemiconductor package which includes a substrate for a semiconductorpackage that enhances the operation properties of semiconductor chips.

In one embodiment, a substrate for a semiconductor package includes asubstrate body having a first face and a second face opposing the firstface; a through electrode passing through the substrate body between thefirst face and the second face; an insulation member with a block shapedisposed over the first face; and a connection member having a firstconductive unit disposed inside of the insulation member andelectrically connected to the through electrode and a second conductiveunit electrically connected to the first conductive unit and exposed atboth side faces of the insulation member.

The substrate body may include a semiconductor chip having a circuitunit and a bonding pad electrically connected with the throughelectrode.

Alternatively, the substrate body may include a printed circuit board.

The substrate for a semiconductor package may further include aconductive ball disposed over the second face of the substrate body andelectrically connected to the through electrode.

The substrate for a semiconductor package may further include anadditional connection member disposed at an end portion of the secondconductive unit exposed from the insulation member.

The insulation member includes a first insulation unit and a secondinsulation unit disposed over the first insulation unit, the firstconductive unit passes through the first insulation unit, and the secondconductive unit is disposed over the first insulation unit.

The first conductive unit is disposed vertically to the first face andthe second conductive unit is disposed parallel to the first face.

In another embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a substratehaving a substrate body with a first face and a second face opposing thefirst face, a first through electrode passing through the substrate bodybetween the first face and the second face; an insulation member with ablock shape disposed over the first face, and a connection member havinga first conductive unit disposed inside of the insulation member andelectrically connected to the first through electrode and a secondconductive unit electrically connected to the first conductive unit andexposed from both side faces of the insulation member; and asemiconductor chip having third and fourth faces disposed over the firstface of the substrate body vertically to the first face and beingopposite to each other, and a second through electrode passing throughthe semiconductor chip between the third and fourth faces andelectrically connected to the second conductive unit exposed from theside face of the insulation member.

The substrate body includes one of a semiconductor chip having a circuitunit and a bonding pad electrically connected to the first throughelectrode, and a printed circuit board.

The substrate body includes a conductive ball disposed over the secondface of the substrate body and electrically connected to the firstthrough electrode.

The semiconductor package may further include an additional connectionmember for electrically connecting the second through electrode and thesecond conductive unit.

The insulation member includes a first insulation unit and a secondinsulation unit disposed over the first insulation unit, the firstconductive unit passes through the first insulation unit, and the secondconductive unit is disposed over the first insulation unit.

The semiconductor package may further include a sealing member forsealing the semiconductor chip.

The semiconductor package may further include an adhesive memberinterposed between a side face of the semiconductor chip and the firstface so as to attach the semiconductor chip onto the first face.

At least two semiconductor chips are disposed over the first face, andthe semiconductor chips are of the same kind of semiconductor chips.

Alternatively, at least two semiconductor chips are disposed over thefirst face, and the semiconductor chips are of different kind ofsemiconductor chips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a substrate for a semiconductorpackage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion ‘A’ in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion ‘B’ in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a substrate 100 for asemiconductor package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion ‘A’ of the substrate100 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the substrate 100 for a semiconductorpackage includes a substrate body 110, a through electrode 120, aninsulation member 130, and a connection member 140.

The substrate body 110 is a planar layer (for example, a plate shapewith a rectangular parallelepiped shape) having a first face 111 and asecond face 112 opposing the first face 111.

In the present embodiment, the substrate body 110 is a semiconductorchip having a circuit unit 113 and bonding pads 114.

The circuit unit 113 may include a data storing unit (not shown) forstoring data and/or a data processing unit (not shown) for processingthe data. The bonding pads 114 may be disposed, for example, on thefirst face 111 of the substrate body 110, and the bonding pads 114 areelectrically connected to the circuit unit 113.

Although the substrate body 110 is shown and described as asemiconductor chip in the present embodiment, the substrate body 110 maybe a printed circuit board (PCB) having a circuit wiring or a baresubstrate having no circuit wiring. When the substrate body 110 is aPCB, the substrate body 110 would include electric elements and/orpassive elements such as a transistor, a diode, an inductor, etc.

The through electrode 120 passes through the substrate body 110 betweenthe first face 111 and the second face 112. In the present embodiment, aplurality of the through electrodes 120 is arranged along a line or in arow of electrodes in the substrate body 110. In the present embodiment,the through electrode 120 is electrically connected to the circuit unit113. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, thethrough electrode 120 is electrically connected to the bonding pad 114electrically connected to the circuit unit 113. In the presentembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the through electrode 120 passes through thebonding pad 114, and the through electrode 120 and the bonding pad 114are thereby electrically connected. In an alternative embodiment, thethrough electrode 120 may be spaced a predetermined distance from thebonding pad 114, and the through electrode 120 and the bonding pad 114corresponding to the through electrode 120 may be electrically connectedby a redistribution (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the through electrode 120 includes, forexample, copper having excellent electrical conductive properties;however, the through electrode 120 is not limited to only copper.

The insulation member 130 is disposed, for example, over the first face111 of the substrate body 110. In the present embodiment, a plurality ofinsulation members 130 are disposed over the first face 111 of thesubstrate body 110 with each insulation member 130 corresponding to athrough electrode. The insulation member 130 includes an insulationmaterial, and the insulation member 130 including the insulationmaterial has a block shape. For example, the insulation member 130 mayhave the shape of rectangular column disposed along the first face 111of the substrate body 110. Each insulation member 130 covers one end ofthe corresponding through electrode 120 exposed at the first face 111.

The insulation member 130 includes a first insulation unit 132 and asecond insulation unit 134. The first insulation unit 132 is disposed onthe first face 111 of the substrate body 110 and the second insulationunit 134 is disposed on the first insulation unit 132. In the presentembodiment, the first insulation unit 132 and the second insulation unit134 may have the same insulation material. Alternatively, the firstinsulation unit 132 and the second insulation unit 134 may havedifferent insulation materials.

The connection member 140 is disposed inside of the insulation member130. The connection member 140 includes a first conductive unit 142 anda second conductive unit 144.

The first conductive unit 142 passes through the first insulation member132 of the insulation member 130 between an upper face of the firstinsulation unit 132 and a lower face of the first insulation unit 132opposing the upper face. An end portion of the first conductive unit 142is electrically connected to the corresponding through electrode 120 ofthe through electrodes 120 arranged in a row. The first conductive unit142 may be formed in a direction substantially vertical to the firstface 111 of the substrate body 110. In the present embodiment, the firstconductive unit 142 may be a plated pattern or a metal pin.

The second conductive unit 144 is disposed over the upper face of thefirst insulation unit 132, and the second conductive unit 144 iselectrically connected to the first conductive unit 142. The secondconductive unit 144 may be formed in a direction parallel to the firstface 111 of the substrate body 110. In the present embodiment, thesecond conductive unit 144 may be a plated pattern or a metal pin. Inthe embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, respective endportions of the second conductive unit 144 are exposed at two side facesof the insulation member 130.

Referring to FIG. 2, the additional connection members 146 are disposedon both end portions of the second conductive unit 144 exposed at therespective side faces of the insulation member 130. In the presentembodiment, the additional connection members 146 may include, forexample, a low melting point metal such as a solder. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the additional connection member 146 may bedisposed not only on the second conductive unit 144, but also on the endportion of the first conductive unit connected to the through electrode120.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the substrate 100 for a semiconductor packagemay further include redistributions 150, solder resist patterns 152, andconductive balls 154.

The redistributions 150 are disposed over the second face 112 of thesubstrate body 110, and each redistribution 150 is electricallyconnected to a respective through electrode 120.

The solder resist patterns 152 are disposed on the second face 112 ofthe substrate 110 and cover the respective redistributions 150. Thesolder resist pattern 152 includes an opening that exposes some of theredistribution 150.

The conductive ball 154 is attached to the redistribution 150 exposed bythe opening of the solder resist pattern 152. The conductive ball 154may include a low melting point metal such as a solder.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor package inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is anenlarged view of portion ‘B’ in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a semiconductor package 400 includes asubstrate 100 and semiconductor chips 200.

The substrate 100 includes a substrate body 110, a first throughelectrode 120, an insulation member 130 and a connection member 140.

The substrate body 110 may have, for example, a plate shape with arectangular parallelepiped shape, and the substrate body 110 includes afirst face 111 and a second face 112 opposing the first face 111.

The substrate body 110 is, for example, a semiconductor chip having acircuit unit 113 and bonding pads 114.

The circuit unit 113 may include a data storing unit (not shown) forstoring data and/or a data processing unit (not shown) for processingthe data. The bonding pads 114 may be disposed, for example, on thefirst face 111 of the substrate body 110, and the bonding pad 114 iselectrically connected to the circuit unit 113.

Although the substrate body 110 is shown and described as asemiconductor chip in the present embodiment, the substrate body 110 maybe a PCB having circuit wiring or a bare substrate having no circuitwiring.

The first through electrode 120 passes through the substrate body 110between the first face 111 and the second face 112. In the presentembodiment, a plurality of the first through electrodes 120 may bearranged along a line or in a row of electrodes in the substrate body110.

In the present embodiment, the first through electrode 120 iselectrically connected to the circuit unit 113. For example, in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first through electrode 120 iselectrically connected to the bonding pad 114 electrically connected tothe circuit unit 113. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3, thefirst through electrode 120 passes through the bonding pad 114, and thefirst through electrode 120 and the bonding pad 114 corresponding to thefirst through electrode 120 are thereby electrically connected. In analternative embodiment, the first through electrode 120 may be spaced apredetermined distance from the bonding pad 114, and the first throughelectrode 120 and the bonding pad 114 corresponding to the first throughelectrode 120 may be electrically connected to each other by aredistribution (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the first through electrode 120 includes, forexample, copper having excellent electrical conductive properties;however, the first through electrode 120 is not limited to only copper.

The insulation member 130 is disposed, for example, over the first face111 of the substrate body 110. The insulation member 130 includes aninsulation material, and the insulation member 130 including theinsulation material has a block shape. In the present embodiment, theinsulation member 130 may have the shape of rectangular column disposedalong the first face 111 of the substrate body 110. Each insulationmember 130 covers one end of the corresponding first through electrode120 exposed at the first face 111.

The insulation member 130 includes a first insulation unit 132 and asecond insulation unit 134. The first insulation unit 132 is disposed onthe first face 111 of the substrate body 110 and the second insulationunit 134 is disposed on the first insulation unit 132. In the presentembodiment, the first insulation unit 132 and the second insulation unit134 may have the same insulation material. Alternatively, the firstinsulation unit 132 and the second insulation unit 134 may havedifferent insulation materials.

In embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of insulationmembers 130 can be disposed over the first face 111 of the substratebody 110. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment in which five insulationmembers 130 are disposed over the first face 111 of the substrate body110 with each insulation member 130 being formed on a first throughelectrode 120.

The connection member 140 is disposed inside of the insulation member130. The connection member 140 includes a first conductive unit 142 anda second conductive unit 144.

The first conductive unit 142 passes through the first insulation member132 of the insulation member 130 between an upper face of the firstinsulation unit 132 and a lower face of the first insulation unit 132opposing the upper face. An end portion of the first conductive unit 142is electrically connected to the corresponding first through electrode120 of the first through electrodes 120 arranged in a row. The firstconductive unit 142 may be formed in a direction substantially verticalto the first face 111 of the substrate body 110.

The second conductive unit 144 is disposed over the upper face of thefirst insulation unit 132, and the second conductive unit 144 iselectrically connected to the first conductive unit 142. The secondconductive unit 144 may be formed in a direction parallel to the firstface 111 of the substrate body 110. In the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 3, respective end portions of the secondconductive unit 144 are exposed at two side faces of the insulationmember 130.

Referring to FIG. 4, the additional connection members 146 are disposedon both end portions of the second conductive unit 144 exposed at therespective side faces of the insulation member 130. In the presentembodiment, the additional connection members 146 may include, forexample, a low melting point metal such as a solder. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the additional connection member 146 may bedisposed not only on the second conductive unit 144, but also on the endportion of the first conductive unit connected to the first throughelectrode 120.

Referring to FIG. 3, the substrate 100 may further includeredistributions 150, solder resist patterns 152, and conductive balls154.

The redistributions 150 are disposed over the second face 112 of thesubstrate body 110 and each redistribution 150 is electrically connectedto a respective first through electrodes 120.

The solder resist patterns 152 are disposed on the second face 112 ofthe substrate 110 and cover the respective redistributions 150. Thesolder resist pattern 152 includes an opening that exposes some of theredistribution 150.

The conductive ball 154 is attached to the redistribution 150 exposed bythe opening of the solder resist pattern 152. The conductive ball 154may include a low melting point metal such as a solder.

The semiconductor chips 200 shown in FIG. 3 may have, for example, arectangular parallelepiped shape. In the present embodiment, thethickness of the semiconductor chip 200 is substantially the same as thespace between neighboring insulation members 130 disposed over the firstface 111 of the substrate 100.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor chips 200disposed over the first face 111 of the substrate 100 may be of the samekind of semiconductor chip. In an alternative embodiment, the respectivesemiconductor chips 200 disposed over the first face 111 of thesubstrate 100 may be different kinds of semiconductor chips.

Each semiconductor chip 200 includes a circuit unit 210, a bonding pad220, and a second through electrode 230.

The circuit unit 210 of the semiconductor chip 200 may include a datastoring unit (not shown) for storing data and a data processing unit(not shown) for processing the data.

The bonding pad 220 may be disposed towards an edge of a surface of therespective semiconductor chip 200. In the present embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the respective bonding pads 220 are disposed at a positioncorresponding to the second conductive units 144 of the connectionmembers 140 disposed inside of the insulation member 130. Alternatively,the respective bonding pads 220 may be disposed in the middle of thesemiconductor chip 200, and the respective bonding pads 220 may beelectrically connected to one end of a redistribution (not shown). Theredistribution then extends to an edge of the semiconductor chip 200 andthe other end of the redistribution is electrically connected to thebonding pad 220. As such, the respective redistributions are disposed ata position corresponding to the second conductive unit 144 of theconnection member 140 disposed inside of the insulation member 130.

The second through electrode 230 is electrically connected to thecircuit unit 210, and the second through electrode 230 is disposed at aposition allowing the second through electrode 230 to be electricallyconnected to the second conductive unit 144. That is, the second throughelectrode 230 extends within the semiconductor chip between theinsulation members 130 of the substrate 100. In the present embodiment,the second through electrode 230 may include copper having excellentconductive properties.

In the present embodiment, an adhesive member 240 is disposed on a sideface of the semiconductor chip that is adjacent to the bonding pad 220and facing the substrate 100. The adhesive member 240 may be, forexample, a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive agent.

The semiconductor chip 200 is inserted between the insulation members130 disposed over the first face 111 of the substrate 100 such that theside face on which the adhesive member 240 is disposed faces the firstface 111 of the substrate 100, and the semiconductor chip 200 isattached onto the first face 111 of the substrate 100 by the adhesivemember 240. Therefore, the second through electrode 230 of asemiconductor chip 200 is electrically connected to the secondconductive unit 144 exposed at the side face of the correspondinginsulation member 130. At this time, the second conductive unit 144 andthe second through electrode 230 corresponding to the second conductiveunit 144 are electrically connected to each other by the additionalconnection member 146.

After the semiconductors 200 are disposed on the first face 111 of thesubstrate 100, a sealing member 300 is formed over the semiconductorchips 200 to electrically insulate the semiconductor chips 200 from eachother. Examples of a sealing member 300 include an epoxy resin, etc.

As is apparent from the above embodiment, when the semiconductor chips200 are electrically connected using the insulation members 130 and theconnection members 140 disposed over the first face 111 of the substrate100, paths of signals applied to the respective semiconductor chips 200are shortened and deviation in the signal path length is notablyreduced. Therefore, it is possible to notably enhance operationproperties of the semiconductor chips 200.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and the spirit of theinvention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. A substrate for a semiconductor package, comprising: a substrate bodyhaving a first face and a second face opposing the first face; a throughelectrode passing through the semiconductor body between the first faceand the second face; an insulation member disposed on the first face;and a connection member comprising: a first conductive unit disposedinside of the insulation member and electrically connected to thethrough electrode; and a second conductive unit electrically connectedto the first conductive member and exposed at a side face of theinsulation member, and wherein the second conductive unit is directlyexposed, wherein the insulation member comprises a first insulation unitand a second insulation unit disposed on the first insulation unit, thefirst conductive unit passes through the first insulation unit, and thesecond conductive unit is disposed over the first insulation unit, andwherein the insulation member and the substrate body are separate anddistinct from each other.
 2. The substrate for a semiconductor packageaccording to claim 1, wherein the substrate body comprises asemiconductor chip having a circuit unit and a bonding pad electricallyconnected to the through electrode.
 3. The substrate for a semiconductorpackage according to claim 1, wherein the substrate body comprises aprinted circuit board.
 4. The substrate for a semiconductor packageaccording to claim 3, wherein the substrate body comprises at least oneof a transistor, a diode, a resistor, and an inductor.
 5. The substratefor a semiconductor package according to claim 1, further comprising: aconductive ball disposed on the second face of the substrate body andelectrically connected to the through electrode.
 6. The substrate for asemiconductor package according to claim 1, further comprising: aconnection member disposed on the portion of the second conductive. 7.The substrate for a semiconductor package according to claim 1, whereinthe first conductive unit extends through a portion of the insulationmember in a direction perpendicular to the first face and the secondconductive unit is disposed parallel to the first face.
 8. The substratefor a semiconductor package according to claim 1, wherein: theinsulation member has a block shape, the first conductive unit extendsthrough a portion of the insulation member in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the first face, the second conductive unit extendsthrough the insulation member in a direction parallel to the first facesuch that the second conductive unit is exposed at two side faces of theinsulation member opposite to each other.
 9. A substrate for asemiconductor package, comprising: a substrate body having a first faceand a second face opposing the first face, wherein the substrate bodycomprises a semiconductor chip having a circuit unit and a bonding padelectrically connected to the through electrode; a through electrodepassing through the substrate body between the first face and the secondface; an insulation member disposed on the first face; and a connectionmember comprising: a first conductive unit disposed inside of theinsulation member and electrically connected to the through electrode;and a second conductive unit electrically connected to the firstconductive unit and directly exposed at a side face and an opposing sideface of the side face of the insulation member, and wherein theinsulation member and the substrate body are separate and distinct fromeach other.
 10. The substrate for a semiconductor package according toclaim 9, further comprising: a conductive ball disposed on the secondface of the substrate body and electrically connected to the throughelectrode.
 11. The substrate for a semiconductor package according toclaim 9, further comprising: an additional connection member disposed onthe portion of the second conductive unit exposed at the side face ofthe insulation member.
 12. The substrate for a semiconductor packageaccording to claim 9, wherein: the insulation member comprises a firstinsulation unit and a second insulation unit disposed on the firstinsulation unit, the first conductive unit passes through the firstinsulation unit, and the second conductive unit is disposed over thefirst insulation unit.
 13. The substrate for a semiconductor packageaccording to claim 9, wherein the first conductive unit extends througha portion of the insulation member in a direction vertical to the firstface and the second conductive unit is disposed parallel to the firstface.
 14. The substrate for a semiconductor package according to claim9, wherein: the insulation member has a block shape, the firstconductive unit extends through a portion of the insulation member in adirection substantially vertical to the first face, the secondconductive unit extends through the insulation member in a directionparallel to the first face such that the second conductive unit isdirectly exposed at the side face and the opposing side face of the sideface of the insulation member opposite to each other.
 15. A substratefor a semiconductor package, comprising: a substrate body having a firstface and a second face opposing the first face, wherein the substratebody comprises a semiconductor chip having a circuit unit and a bondingpad electrically connected to the through electrode; a through electrodepassing through the substrate body between the first face and the secondface; an insulation member disposed on the first face; and a connectionmember comprising: a first conductive unit disposed inside of theinsulation member and electrically connected to the through electrode;and a second conductive unit electrically connected to the firstconductive unit and directly exposed at a side face and an opposing sideface of the side face of the insulation member, wherein the insulationmember comprises a first insulation unit and a second insulation unitdisposed on the first insulation unit, the first conductive unit passesthrough the first insulation unit, and the second conductive unit isdisposed over the first insulation unit.
 16. The substrate for asemiconductor package according to claim 15, further comprising: aconductive ball disposed on the second face of the substrate body andelectrically connected to the through electrode.
 17. The substrate for asemiconductor package according to claim 15, further comprising: anadditional connection member disposed on the portion of the secondconductive unit directly exposed at the side face and the opposing sideface of the side face of the insulation member.
 18. The substrate for asemiconductor package according to claim 15, wherein the firstconductive unit extends through a portion of the insulation member in adirection vertical to the first face and the second conductive unit isdisposed parallel to the first face.
 19. The substrate for asemiconductor package according to claim 15, wherein: the insulationmember has a block shape, the first conductive unit extends through aportion of the insulation member in a direction substantially verticalto the first face, the second conductive unit extends through theinsulation member in a direction parallel to the first face such thatthe second conductive unit is directly exposed at the side face and theopposing side face of the side face of the insulation member opposite toeach other.